The Seychelles Media Commission in partnership with the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) have today organised an information session with local media houses on disaster risk management in the country and the upcoming IOWAVE exercise, which is scheduled for October.
Only two media houses participated in the session, namely Pure FM radio and Today in Seychelles, the daily newspaper.
Despite the low turn out, the session proved to be informative and engaging. It allowed for the two media houses to engage with the DRMD staff on the role of the DRMD as part of disaster risk management in the country and it then works with other stakeholders during and in between disasters.
The session was also an opportunity to discuss the upcoming IOWAVE exercise, which both media houses have committed to being part of.
A main concern raised, was the absence of guiding documents within the media houses themselves when functioning in disasters. They were informed that in 2024, the SMC and DRMD will be joining forces to organise capacity building trainings and to assist local media houses in drafting their standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The trainings are being scheduled for 2024/2025.